A GUIDE TO OBTAINING A SPORTS SCHOLARSHIP IN THE USA

Shaping the future for the next generation of tennis stars

A sports scholarship is awarded by colleges and universities in the USA and can range from 1-100% of the total costs of attendance. The best possible sports scholarship attainable is 100% and is referred to as a ‘full ride’, and it can be worth up to a staggering $220,000 over four years. This covers the full costs of tuition fees, accommodation, food, textbooks, examinations, and kit and transport costs when competing in sport for the college/university – leaving the student-athlete only to pay for incidental costs. A 75% scholarship might cover the tuition fees, accommodation and food, but leaves the remaining costs for the student-athlete to finance. This is still a very valuable scholarship and reduces the high cost of education compared to studying anywhere else.

The average scholarship is worth $22,840 per year, leaving an average remaining cost of $5,210 (£3,890) per year. This is equivalent to an 81% scholarship to live and study for a Bachelors degree in the USA, and participate in college sports across America. This is a great deal when compared to England & Wales where tuition fees are capped at £9,000 a year, with around 76% of all institutions charging the full amount in 2015-16. The average fee for a three year course in England & Wales is currently £8,700 per annum compared to the average balance of £3,890 per annum in the USA. Plus, in England & Wales there are the extra costs for books, study materials, examinations, accommodation and food to be added to the tuition fees.

From 2017-18, the £9,000 fee cap will rise with inflation. Maintenance grants are also scheduled to cease with the 2016-17 academic year. Maintenance loans are available for living costs, and these are means tested. These loans are scheduled to increase for 2016-17, when the maintenance grant system is phased out.

THE SCHOLARSHIP PROCESS EXPLAINED

Signing up to our services:

• We will conduct a one-to-one consultation with you to establish the preferred education and sports pathway of the student-athlete.

• An Agreement is to be signed, dated and witnessed. This Agreement explains our services and also what is required of the student-athlete whilst in the USA.

• Upon signing the Agreement, the Client Services fee becomes payable. Our fee is only payable once and covers our services for the entire time the student-athlete is at college.

• The fee is fully refundable for any reason within two weeks of signing the Agreement, or, if we are unable to obtain an offer of scholarship.

• Payment can be made online by direct bank transfer or by cheque.

• If you experience any difficulty in paying the fee, please speak to a representative of Ethan Mason Sports.

Profile:

• From the academic and sporting information provided to us, we will produce a profile and promote the student-athlete to appropriate colleges in the USA.

• Where the student-athlete has participated in our organised ‘Trials’, we will consult with our qualified coaches and use the video of their performance to assess the sporting ability ourselves.

Taking the SAT:

• The SAT is built of 3 sections of English, Essay and Math’s. It will be offered in May and June. We would suggest that the exam is taken in both months as we can use the highest score received to obtain a more valuable scholarship.

• The exam is made up entirely of multiple choice questions and we will provide some study material. A score of roughly 55% on the exam is required, however; we do have up to 700 colleges that do not require the SAT.

Offers from colleges/universities:

• The student-athlete will get scholarship offers and we will help advise which ones we think are best, but ultimately, the choice is yours. The level of scholarship could vary from college to college.

Clearinghouse:

• The clearinghouse is something that we will help the student-athlete complete. It is where the NCAA search to make sure the student-athlete has not been a full professional in sport and that the academic’s are in line.

• Average GCSE scores of D’s and E’s is acceptable, but higher grades would be better for the college.

College acceptance:

• Once the student-athlete is accepted to a college, the college will issue an i20 form which will allow the student-athlete to apply for a Visa.

Obtaining a visa:

• The student-athlete can register for the visa online but will still need to travel to the USA Embassy in London for an actual appointment. This process can take 3-4 weeks.

Starting at college:

• The student-athlete will leave for the USA at least one month prior to the next term starts at the college. In each year, college terms run from September until mid December and then from mid January until May. The student-athlete can stay in the USA during term breaks or return home.

Travel assistance:

• We will assist the student-athlete with all their travel requirements to, from and within the USA.

Degree:

• The student-athlete will be studying for a Bachelors degree over 4 years.

• There are no repercussions if the student-athlete comes home early and does not complete the degree course.

Changing college:

• If the student-athlete is unhappy at the chosen college, we will endeavour to arrange a transfer to an alternative college at no extra cost to the student-athlete.

Our aftercare promise:

• A representative of Ethan Mason Sports is accessible at all times to the student-athlete and/or parents or guardians both in the UK and in the USA, from the moment the student-athlete signs with us right through each year to actual graduation.

About us

Ethan Mason has huge experience in both coaching tennis and within the holiday sector. Therefore the coaching programme that is designed and delivered will be of the same high standard as the travel and holiday experience. Add to this the expertise of InspireSport and we are confident that all our clients will have a first class time on and off court.